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30 Summer Safety Tips For Dog Owners

Posted by Hot Dog Collars on 04/12/16 3:36 PM



Tweet: 30 Summer Safety Tips For Dogs [Source: Hot Dog Collars] 30 Summer Safety Tips For Dogs



Summer time is fun time! We love taking our dogs to the beach, spending a day at the park, or any number of other ways to enjoy the warm weather with our 4 legged family member. There a lots of ways to have fun with your dogs in the Summer, but there are an equal number of ways for all that activity to pose a danger to your pets. We've compiled a list of 30 tips, some common and some ingenious. If you have travel plans, be sure to check out our auto and travel gear section here.

1.   Keep fresh water in their bowl at all times.
2.   Stay current with flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
3.   Invest in a box fan if you don’t have air conditioning.
4.   Not all dogs can swim.  Don’t forget a life vest for your pooch!
5.   Update your pet’s ID tags or replace lost ones.
6.   Keep water in your car in case of a breakdown.
7.   NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A CAR.
8.   Kiddie pools aren’t just for kids to keep cool, but for fur kids too.  
9.   Fishing lures look like toys but hurt if they get hooked on a muzzle, so lock up that tackle box!
10.   Pug-nosed pals need an extra eye kept on them in the heat.
11.   Know that heat stroke can happen to pets!
12.   Signs of heat stroke are excessive panting and salivation, purple tongue and/or gums, & seizures.
13.   Give your dog a cool bath, not ice, to bring down their temperature if you suspect heat stroke and call your vet immediately.
14.   Double check for toxic plants in your yard.  Here’s a link to ASPCA and their poison control page - http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
15.   NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A CAR bears repeating because it’s that important
16.   Sunburn is a real thing that can happen to a dog.
17.   Keep up with grooming appointments so you can keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy.
18.   Humid days are just as worrisome as extreme heat.  Be mindful.
19.   A stay cool trick is to freeze water in a bowl and let your dog lick it to stay cool.
20.   Leaving your dog in the car on a warm day is always a bad idea.  Yup, I said it again.  
21.   Here's a printable flyer about dogs and warm cars - http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/hot_car_flyer.pdf
22.   If you can’t have the AC on while you’re not at home, a mat that stays cool is the way to go.
23.   Remind kids to shut doors behind them so your dog doesn’t get loose.  Summer vacation makes kids forgetful.  
24.   If your bare feet burn on pavement, then your dog’s pad will too.  I’ve had a burn on the feet before and I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone.
25.   Adjust exercise times for your dog for the coolest parts of the day.  
26.   If your dog has been swimming in the ocean or a lake, don’t forget to rinse him with fresh water.  
27.   You will find that having collapsible food and water bowls are awesome to have because they don’t require lots of space if you are traveling.   
28.   Don’t forget to include your dog in your family’s disaster plan.
29.   If you have to leave your dog outside for whatever reason, make sure he has a shady place to rest and plenty of water.
30.   Keep track of the weather and plan accordingly.  Being prepared is the best way to keep your dog safe.


There is nothing better than enjoying the outdoors and spending time with your dogs!  Make sure your pup has a comfy place to rest and check out  our selection of beds and travel gear made just for road trips and the outdoors.
best dog beds


About Our Guest Blogger

Colleen Fitzpatrick is a former dog groomer turned writer from Upstate New York. She loves all dogs but is particularly fond of basset hounds. She is passionate about animal rescue and hopes to foster dogs once her children are a bit older.